importárakat

Importárak is the Hungarian term for import prices. In economics, importárak refer to the price level at which a country acquires goods and services from abroad. They are commonly tracked through an import price index (IPI) or through unit-value measures of imports. An import price index is a weighted average of prices of imported goods, often broken down by commodity group and origin, and compared over time. Data are produced by national statistical offices and customs authorities, and may be complemented by international sources such as Eurostat.

Determinants of importárak include exchange rates; when the domestic currency weakens, import prices expressed in local currency tend to rise, all else equal. Global commodity prices, especially energy and raw materials, have a direct effect. Tariffs and non-tariff barriers, shipping costs, and supplier-specific factors such as quality and technology also influence importárak. Changes in import mix—shifts toward more expensive products—can alter the average import price even if unit prices stay the same.

Implications of higher importárak include potential inflation through import price pass-through, higher production costs for domestic firms, and impacts on the terms of trade. They also influence consumer prices, business competitiveness, and monetary policy decisions.

Limitations: price indices can be affected by changes in product mix, quality adjustments, substitution effects, and data coverage; base year and methodological differences complicate cross-country comparisons.

Applications: tracking inflation, evaluating cost pressures on firms, assessing external competitiveness, and informing macroeconomic policy. See also terms of trade, consumer price index (CPI), producer price index (PPI), and exchange rate. In Hungary, the Hungarian Central Statistical Office (KSH) publishes import price indices; Eurostat provides harmonized measures for EU countries.